Jul 232024
 

For a long time now we have become accustomed to normalizing wars, those places where people kill and die, you go hungry, women and girls are raped, like something distant that is seen from the TV while we eat. Now the morbidity, more intense and outrageous, but ephemeral, It comes to us in the form of videos through social networks (more or less manipulated or censored).

“Nothing happens here anymore.. “War is a thing of the past and of the third world.”, it is said.

The obligatory levies of our young people - and adults - are far from our memory.- for the colonial whim of some: America, the slaughterhouses of Cuba and Morocco. Or civil wars: the Carlists and the last of 1936. Read and document -depending on what, Of course- awakens memory and coherent reflection.

Spain from 1986 member of the European Union and NATO (in the latter since 1999 fully integrated into its military and command structure). This supposes supposed Rights and entails Obligations.

It is necessary to remember that NATO is not exactly the UN of the “blue helmets of peace”.

From a business perspective, the “foreign” war is a business opportunity.:

– Production and sale of weapons abroad.

– Increase in GDP through exports.

– “Opportunities” for reconstruction of devastated areas.

– Loans, many loans for reconstruction.

Now we have two wars that publicly grip and shame us (those of the Sahel, Congo, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Yemen, Kurdistan, Rohinyas, Afghanistan… for cobalt, lithium or coltan seem not to do as much, but there are some): They are the “officially” undeclared ones of Ukraine and Gaza.

In Palestine we have a rotten and murderous State, Israel, in conflict with a proto-state that is also corrupt and murderous: Hamas. The Israeli people pay for it (indoctrination and atmosphere of Terror to those who dare to question National-Religious identity) and the Palestinian people, that receives the already atavistic Israeli repression, plus the internal repression of Hamas. More now the bag of bombs and the siege by hunger and thirst.

Spain as a state does not send weapons there, but it does not act diplomatically nor does it influence the establishment of economic sanctions to suffocate the belligerents. Nor does it exert any pressure on imports or exports on multinational companies. (or Spanish) who trade (or they actively collaborate) with the State of Israel and allow, in fact, the continuation of the war and the deaths. Popular boycott proposals in this sense exist and are promoted by social organizations around the world., but the Spanish State didn't even plim (BDS: Boycott, Disinvestment, Sanctions… that helped defeat the Apartheid in South Africa). There are also States that have taken the step of breaking diplomatic and commercial relations with the State of Israel., while the mortality lasts.

Ukraine, a state as rotten and corrupt as the Russian one. Both oppress their respective people.. A conflict orchestrated in the great global geopolitics and fueled by national emotional identitarianism or a cultural assumption of the West / East, where innocent people die. Nobody expected it (like in Yugoslavia). This could also have been the case in the post-Soviet transition from state capitalist economies to free market capitalism. (but it wasn't).

The fact is that Spain, As a member of the European Union and NATO, it has been sending weapons to the Ukrainian State WITH MONEY FROM OUR TAXES for years., money for weapons and the percentage of money allocated to “defense” is increasing (to a potential war) so that people can continue killing and people suffering. Aside from the fact that the topic is much more delicate and complex (Obviously the Russian State is not exactly a saint) It concerns us that WE CITIZEN ARE WORKING AND PAYING TAXES (which could be for education or medicine) SO THAT PEOPLE CAN ACTIVELY KILL THEMSELVES “THERE”. Collectively we have not acted to prevent it, except worthy exceptions. Therefore, we citizens have blood on our hands., whether we like it or not we know it.

And how can this affect our children?, or ourselves?

In reality, we citizens constitute the “potential reserve” of cannon fodder if the circumstances arise., among the 18 and the 45 years. But if more meat is needed (as lives run out), The legislation itself makes it possible to expand them… 16, 64… [better not give them ideas].

Spain has supranational commitments with the EU and NATO. And “democratic” state legislation that allows you to serve them faithfully.: The SPANISH CONSTITUTION, Organic Laws and Royal Decrees, in order of preeminence.

The Constitution is the Fundamental Law of the State and from which the rest are developed, without being able to contradict her.

It is very important, to understand the following argument, Keep in mind that to approve an Organic Law a simple majority is needed in Parliament. To modify any article of the Constitution, two-thirds qualified majority. It is not trivial that aspects such as the death penalty during times of war or “siege” have been “deactivated” through Organic laws. (as this state is euphemistically called, which allows for the widespread suspension of civil rights and liberties.), or compulsory military service, without having abolished or eliminated them from the Constitution.

It is worth remembering that the Spanish State (assuming it is applied honestly) has a corrected proportional electoral system that penalizes minority groups (or in projection) and promotes the euphemistic “stability” in the form of two large parties of the system that alternate in power, without any more problem than a theatrical dialectic acoustic as a staging.

The article 30 of the Spanish Constitution currently says:

1. Spaniards have the right and duty to defend Spain.

2. The law will establish the military obligations of the Spaniards and will regulate, with due guarantees, conscientious objection, as well as other causes of exemption from compulsory military service, being able to impose, in your case, a substitute social benefit.

3. A civil service may be established to fulfill purposes of general interest.

4. The duties of citizens may be regulated by law in cases of serious risk., catastrophe or public calamity.

The “duty to defend Spain” speaks for itself. When a person is designated for that “duty” they are no longer fully protected by civil rights and liberties., automatically passing to military jurisdiction. The United States invoked this argument to force its citizens to defend (killing) the interests of the country (or large economic corporations) in wars as far away as the first, Second World War or Vietnam.

The following regulations deploy the professional army in a “provisional” and “definitive” manner., but the concept of “military service” remains in force in the fundamental law, the Constitution. Therefore it is not abolished but suspended:

– Ley 17/1999, from 18 of May, Regime of the Personnel of the Armed Forces.

– Royal Decree 247/2001, 9 of March, by which the suspension of the provision of military service is brought forward.

Recovery probably doesn't have much social glamoron of the Mili, but in a process of creating patriotic states of opinion, warmongers and militarists against the supposed “common enemy” would not be ruled out. Historically it is nothing new. For thisOnly the repeal of an organic law would be necessary.

The article 15 of the Spanish Constitution currently says:

Everyone has the right to life and physical and moral integrity, without that, in no case, may be subjected to torture or inhuman or degrading punishment or treatment. The death penalty is abolished, except as may be provided by military criminal laws for times of war.

An organic lawnica establishes that currently the death penalty will not be applied in the event of war:

– Organic Law 11/1995, from 27 of November, abolition of the death penalty in time of war.

A simple vote in Parliament repealing it would reactivate the validity of the article of the Constitution, plenipotentiating military laws. Who doubts that in the event of a possible pre-war environment they will do so??

The article 8 of the Spanish Constitution currently says:

1. The Armed Forces, formed by the Army, the Navy and the Air Force, Their mission is to guarantee the sovereignty and independence of Spain, defend its territorial integrity and constitutional order.

2. An organic law will regulate the bases of the military organization in accordance with the principles of this Constitution.

The linked organic laws are reviewable in a broad or restrictive sense by means of votes with a simple majority in parliament.. The section 1. “They have a mission” is a carte blanche that legitimizes military personnel to do whatever they want with our society. [with us, with our young people], when they deem it convenient:

– Ley 36/2015, from 28 of September, of National Security.

– Military Jurisdiction Code.

-Organic Law 14/2015, from 14 October, of the Military Penal Code.

The article 116 of the Spanish Constitution currently says: *(State of siege is synonymous with state of war)

1. An organic law will regulate states of alarm, exception and site, and the corresponding powers and limitations.

2. The state of alarm will be declared by the Government by decree agreed upon by the Council of Ministers for a maximum period of fifteen days., reporting to the Congress of Deputies, immediately assembled for this purpose and without whose authorization said period cannot be extended.. The decree will determine the territorial scope to which the effects of the declaration extend..

3. The state of emergency will be declared by the Government by decree agreed upon in the Council of Ministers, prior authorization of the Congress of Deputies. The authorization and proclamation of the state of emergency must expressly determine its effects., the territorial scope to which it extends and its duration, which may not exceed thirty days, extendable for another equal period, with the same requirements.

4. The state of siege will be declared by the absolute majority of the Congress of Deputies, at the exclusive proposal of the Government. Congress will determine its territorial scope, duration and conditions.

5. The dissolution of Congress cannot be carried out while some of the states included in this article are declared., the Chambers being automatically convened if they are not in session. Its operation, as well as that of the other constitutional powers of the State, They cannot be interrupted during the validity of these states.

Congress dissolved or its mandate expired, if any of the situations that give rise to any of said states occur, The powers of Congress will be assumed by its Permanent Deputation.

6. The declaration of states of alarm, of exception and siege will not modify the principle of responsibility of the Government and its agents recognized in the Constitution and in the laws.

Simple majorities in Parliament can determine declarations of war, restrict the fundamental freedoms and rights of citizens, expropriations, seizures, compulsory community civil works, establish mandatory levies that would automatically refer the affected citizens to military jurisdiction. Also tighten the reference legal regulations in record time:

– Ley 36/2015, from 28 of September, of National Security.

– Military Jurisdiction Code.

-Organic Law 14/2015, from 14 October, of the Military Penal Code.

The article 63 of the Spanish Constitution currently says:

1. The King accredits ambassadors and other diplomatic representatives. Foreign representatives in Spain are accredited to him.

2. It is up to the King to express the consent of the State to be bound internationally through treaties., in accordance with the Constitution and the laws.

3. It is up to the King, prior authorization of the Cortes Generales, declare war and make peace.

The Head of State simply sanctions (a rubric) what is determined by SIMPLE MAJORITIES of Parliament. But the figure of the king is inviolable, The Government is responsible for its actions, It is the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces (Articles 56, 64 Y 62 of the Spanish Constitution). Next to nothing.

The article 117 of the Spanish Constitution currently says:

1. Justice emanates from the people and is administered in the name of the King by Judges and Magistrates who are members of the judicial power., independent, immovable, responsible and subject only to the rule of law.

2. Judges and Magistrates may not be separated, suspended, transferred or retired, but for any of the causes and with the guarantees provided by law.

3. The exercise of jurisdictional power in all types of processes, judging and executing what was judged, corresponds exclusively to the Courts and Tribunals determined by the laws, according to the rules of competence and procedure that they establish.

4. The Courts and Tribunals will not exercise more functions than those indicated in the previous section and those expressly attributed to them by law to guarantee any right..

5. The principle of jurisdictional unity is the basis of the organization and operation of the Courts. The law will regulate the exercise of military jurisdiction in the strictly military sphere and in cases of state of siege., in accordance with the principles of the Constitution.

6. Exceptional Courts are prohibited.

Here we return to the “reference laws” that leave everything tied and well tied in the hands of the politicians of the two-party system, judges and military judges. On the “prohibition” of exceptional courts, We already know very well how soldiers “act” executively and summarily when they search for civilian “deserter” conscientious objectors or enter a population that has been hostile to them.: plundering, violating, torturing, killing:

– Ley 36/2015, from 28 of September, of National Security.

– Military Jurisdiction Code.

-Organic Law 14/2015, from 14 October, of the Military Penal Code.

There are more references to military prerogatives in the Constitution.

Surely not even a significant minority of the politicians in the Spanish Parliament and Government are in favor of the task or the imagination of entering into a war., but the international commitments acquired by the State are those that are, and who they are with. Thus, The State is not sovereign in certain decisions. More like just another servile pawn, in international geopolitics. And the citizens, the town, cheap cannon fodder.

An incipient militarist ghost haunts the peaceful Europe of the European Union, which already seems to be the Europe of NATO. Fine rain gradually creating states of opinion, if not favorable, at least not resistant to possible war scenarios in the medium-term future (which could be a few years). The Spanish Minister of Defense dances to that game, the greatest exponents of the European Union, also [The reason for the creation of the EU was precisely to avoid a new military conflict in Europe.].

There need not be an imminent danger of war, and less in our territory. Nobody expected, the day before, that the Balkan firecracker would explode in 1991, nor that of Ukraine in 2022 (seemed a bit like the cyclical defiant occurrences of the “madman” of North Korea). Wars “only happen in poor and distant lands”.

In any case, there is the possibility of mandatory recruitment of our boys to go to distant lands to kill and die to comply with the agreements and commitments of the world's powerful powers. (and that our powerful people signed at the time, with very little popular opposition. Mud and sludge). And an entire state legal regulation that protects and legitimizes the repression of potential dissidence..

Businessmen imagine blood and are already salivating for safe business. Politicians play their game without counting on pawns, us and us. AND WITHOUT OUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS, OUR YOUNG PEOPLE. PLAY WITH OUR REASON FOR BEING.

So it's about not getting there, not even remotely. Preventively then, Collectively create from the citizens a strong anti-militarist emotional and identity environment that acts as a true deterrent agent against potential warlike whims on the part of the state legislative or executive powers., on duty. With war to war, if possible:

  • At home.

  • between the family.

  • By word of mouth.

  • With co-workers.

  • Require it in educational centers as parents, mothers and family.

  • In educational centers (as teaching workers)

  • with friends.

  • on the street, in the store.

  • Carrying out dissemination and dialectic events.

  • Persecuting and inciting politicians from the locality…

  • Persecuting and urging businessmen from the locality…

  • Extending the oil pond.

  • Acting…

Without forgetting the possible feasible actions so that no one has to kill or die in any war anywhere in the world.

Having done everything so that NOTHING HAPPENS.

Aug 212017
 

Today it has touched us closely. This afternoon on Las Ramblas in Barcelona there was an attack on pedestrians that caused an indeterminate number of victims. As we follow with attention and concern the different information that is coming to us, from the General Confederation of Labor (CGT) of Catalonia we want to make clear the following:

  • We show our solidarity with the victims of this attack. A solidarity that we extend to all civilian victims of attacks, made by armed groups and armies, in different parts of the world today and other days of the year.
  • Let's make it clear, clearly, forceful and unequivocal, than xenophobia, racism and cross-cultural hatred are expressions of fascism. Workers around the world have other programs to fight to transform society, passing through freedom, internationalism, solidarity and mutual support.
  • We also want to show that the militarization of public space, like the one we have been suffering for months with police armed with machine guns in the middle of the streets of many towns and neighborhoods, it is not the real solution to avoid events like the ones that happened today in Barcelona. We will fight, so, to prevent this tragic situation from being used by different governments to toughen criminal law, under the pretext of the fight against terrorism, and increase the repression and militarization of our day to day lives.

Let's stop fascism, wherever you come from.

Permanent Secretariat of the CGT of Catalonia
17 August of 2017

Dec 282016
 

no-a-la-guerraEls col·lectius i entitats que donen suport a la campanya “Desmilitaritzem l’Educació” al Camp de Tarragona han entrat una instància als registres dels Serveis Territorials d’Ensenyament a Tarragona, al de la Diputació de Tarragona i al de l’Ajuntament de Valls on s’hi demana que aquestes institucions escoltin la veu del Parlament i apliquin la Moció sobre la Desmilitarització de Catalunya i duguin a terme totes les accions i gestions necessàries, adoptin les mesures adequades i pertinents i vetllin perquè l’exèrcit deixi de tenir presència d’ara endavant en les properes edicions de l’Espai de l’Estudiant que es celebra a Valls cada any.

La campanya té com a objectiu la defensa d’espais de lleure i formatius lliures d’exèrcits i d’armes i vol donar resposta a una reclamació de tota la comunitat educativa de fa temps que, sens dubte, ha esdevingut un autèntic anhel social. El document entrat a registre recorda als representants institucionals el text de la moció que fa referència a la presència de l’exercit, en aquest cas, a l’espai que s’organitza a la capital de l’Alt Camp:

e. Evitar la presència de l’exèrcit en qualsevol centre educatiu i de formació i evitar també que sigui present a espais educatius i promocionals, com el Saló de l’Ensenyament, el Saló de la Infància, a Barcelona; el Saló d’Esport i Turisme de Muntanya o la Fira de Formació Professional, a Lleida; l’ExpoJove, de Girona; o l’Espai de l’Estudiant, de Valls.

La Plataforma Desmilitaritzem l’educació lamenta que sigui la plataforma la que s’hagi d’encarregar de fer el seguiment de l’aplicació d’un mandat del Parlament, tasca que haurien de fer les mateixes institucions, però alhora assegura que no cedirà fins que aquestes instruccions es facin efectives a tots els espais educatius perquè té clar que les armes no eduquen, les armes maten.

Els col·lectius que donem suport a la campanya són: Campanya Desmilitaritzem l’Educació, Coordinadora Tarragona Patrimoni per la Pau, CUP el Camp, Deixem de ser una illa-Secció Sindical de CGT Ensenyament Tarragona, USTEC Tarragona, Coordinadora Obrera Sindical (COS) el Camp, Endavant El Camp, Stop Mare Mortum Tarragona, Sindicat d’Estudiant dels Països Catalans (SEPC) el Camp, Arran el Camp, Casal Sageta de Foc de Tarragona, Casal Popular La Turba de Valls, Ateneu Llibertari Alomà de Tarragona.

Plataforma Desmilitaritzem l’Educació